The Federal Government has confirmed an imported case of Ebola disease in Abuja, with 44 contacts identified for monitoring as health authorities work to prevent further transmission.
The patient, a woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, is in isolation and receiving medical care, according to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Announcing the development on Tuesday, October 20, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said laboratory tests had confirmed the infection.
The World Health Organisation identified the infection as Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease. It said the woman developed symptoms on October 7 and sought treatment at a private health facility in Abuja on October 11. Tests confirmed the infection on October 20.
Investigations are continuing to establish where she contracted the virus and reconstruct her travel and exposure history. Her travel from Uganda does not, by itself, establish that she became infected there.
The response involves the health ministry, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the FCT Health Services Secretariat and international partners, including WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Authorities said the 44 identified contacts include healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and travel contacts. Public health teams are monitoring them while searching for others who may have been exposed.
The private hospital that initially treated the woman is also receiving support to strengthen infection prevention and control measures.
Pate appealed to people contacted by health teams, particularly those who travelled with the patient, to cooperate with tracing efforts and follow public health instructions.
The Federal Government directed public and private health facilities nationwide to remain vigilant, promptly identify and isolate suspected cases, maintain strict infection prevention measures and immediately notify public health authorities.
